More advise for a potential buyer
Discussion
Hi all in this forum.
I am thinking of a change and the Ultima has always been my dream machine, and prices of pre-owned models make this achievable for me now.
I have done a search, but can't find any info on the pitfalls of buying second hand. Could someone point me in the direction of some good advise and things to watch out for please.
I am thinking of a change and the Ultima has always been my dream machine, and prices of pre-owned models make this achievable for me now.
I have done a search, but can't find any info on the pitfalls of buying second hand. Could someone point me in the direction of some good advise and things to watch out for please.
The pitfalls are not that different from buying any other car. If you don't know mechanics then take along someone who does. For the most part Ultima tend to be quite low tech with little or no electronic systems so the engineering is easier to both understand and maintain.
The regulars on here will most likely know any car you are looking at.
Another route is to have it checked out by the factory. They will both report its defects and advise costs for remedial action. You will most likely have to agree to pay any costs involved in arranging this inspection but this will demonstrate your seriousness about the purchase. Unfortunately Ultima owners probably suffer time wasters more than most.
Steve
The regulars on here will most likely know any car you are looking at.
Another route is to have it checked out by the factory. They will both report its defects and advise costs for remedial action. You will most likely have to agree to pay any costs involved in arranging this inspection but this will demonstrate your seriousness about the purchase. Unfortunately Ultima owners probably suffer time wasters more than most.
Steve
Thanks for your quick response Steve,
As you may have seen from my profile i am a long standing TVR owner so know axactly what you mean, and have a reasonably competant knowledge of the oily bits.
I was hoping for a little insight into areas of the car that I need to pay careful attention to when looking, and any transmission/engine options that are best/to be avoided.
As you may have seen from my profile i am a long standing TVR owner so know axactly what you mean, and have a reasonably competant knowledge of the oily bits.
I was hoping for a little insight into areas of the car that I need to pay careful attention to when looking, and any transmission/engine options that are best/to be avoided.
I can't think of anything that you should specifically look for. If such a recurrent defect existed then it would have been done to death on here.
Spec is a very personal thing.
Stig (forum mod) is now on his second car. The first was 600bhp supercharged and no doubt huge fun. The second is a milder 350-400bhp because he wanted a smoother more refined and well mannered roadcar the second time around.
Best post the spec of what you have found and we can tell you what it will mean in the performance/usability formula. We will need to know the whole spec not just the engine i.e. brakes, a/c, gearbox, drive shafts, tyres, etc.
Steve
Spec is a very personal thing.
Stig (forum mod) is now on his second car. The first was 600bhp supercharged and no doubt huge fun. The second is a milder 350-400bhp because he wanted a smoother more refined and well mannered roadcar the second time around.
Best post the spec of what you have found and we can tell you what it will mean in the performance/usability formula. We will need to know the whole spec not just the engine i.e. brakes, a/c, gearbox, drive shafts, tyres, etc.
Steve
steve_d said:
I can't think of anything that you should specifically look for. If such a recurrent defect existed then it would have been done to death on here.
Spec is a very personal thing.
Stig (forum mod) is now on his second car. The first was 600bhp supercharged and no doubt huge fun. The second is a milder 350-400bhp because he wanted a smoother more refined and well mannered roadcar the second time around.
Best post the spec of what you have found and we can tell you what it will mean in the performance/usability formula. We will need to know the whole spec not just the engine i.e. brakes, a/c, gearbox, drive shafts, tyres, etc.
Steve
Spec is a very personal thing.
Stig (forum mod) is now on his second car. The first was 600bhp supercharged and no doubt huge fun. The second is a milder 350-400bhp because he wanted a smoother more refined and well mannered roadcar the second time around.
Best post the spec of what you have found and we can tell you what it will mean in the performance/usability formula. We will need to know the whole spec not just the engine i.e. brakes, a/c, gearbox, drive shafts, tyres, etc.
Steve
As Steve says, we know quite a lot of the cars out there as the PH 'collective', so best to find one and we'll try and give our 2p on it.
For the record, my GTR-S was 630hp and the Can-Am is 402hp. Each was built to fulfill different criteria, but my Can-Am is a far better car to live with.
Saw your profile pic - OMG! You killed a Griff!!
I've had a good few Tiv's myself, my favourite being build No.1 of the Griff 500s in Ocean Haze (although my 460SE was a monster hoot).
Thank you all for your replies. I had figured there may be many pitfalls to Ultima purchasing (you get paranoid about this sort of thing when owning Tivs..lol)so thought i would start investigating early. My intension is hopefully to start looking seriously in late autumn as house sale is top of my priorities at the moment, plus, the sun is out so may as well make the most of still being topless.
Stig, i was hoping someone in here may have already made the switch from Griffs/TVR to Ultima. How different are they to live with?
I currently do about 8K/annum. in the Griff hooning about and fortnightly trips into the city for work.
Stig, i was hoping someone in here may have already made the switch from Griffs/TVR to Ultima. How different are they to live with?
I currently do about 8K/annum. in the Griff hooning about and fortnightly trips into the city for work.
Hi Bluebottle,
I had a similar dilema to you. Always dreamed of a GTR for about the last 10 Years and never thought that I would do it. Not wanting to compromise on the spec of the car and having then to spend £50k plus to get the parts that I wanted. I have re-built 2 cars and did not see the mechanical side as a problem. Just the time, new house, amount of cash and Girlfriend becoming a GTR widow whilst building. Spent a long time researching, did Talk to Ted Marlow (Some time ago) and in the end plumpted for a second hand car, still not cheap for a recently registered car.
The Major things that I was looking for were
RAC spec roll cage
Largeish BHP
Rose jointed suspension
Air con
AP brakes
GTR body style
Good build quality (i.e. how it was built not the factory quality of the parts)
In summary these are a labour of love, it is not a stick it in the garage anfd bring it out every other weekend. It is a high performance car and needs some TLC, though this can be done at home. I have only had mine about 3 months and there are some issues with it that I need to sort.
However, Ultima the company are fantastic (Andy is really, really helpfull in spares and advise. I threw the main water pump belt in Le Mans, over heating stressed the belt and Andy couldn't do enough for me to help). The Piston heads forum is superb with lots of friendly advise and the attention that the car recieves is relentless. The joke in the camp site at Le mans was "What Ultima?" You could not see it as it was just permanently surrounded by peopel (Slight over exagerations).
Just be careful what you buy. As was said earlier most of the cars are known and I am sure that some advise on the site will help you choose the correct car.
Jim
I had a similar dilema to you. Always dreamed of a GTR for about the last 10 Years and never thought that I would do it. Not wanting to compromise on the spec of the car and having then to spend £50k plus to get the parts that I wanted. I have re-built 2 cars and did not see the mechanical side as a problem. Just the time, new house, amount of cash and Girlfriend becoming a GTR widow whilst building. Spent a long time researching, did Talk to Ted Marlow (Some time ago) and in the end plumpted for a second hand car, still not cheap for a recently registered car.
The Major things that I was looking for were
RAC spec roll cage
Largeish BHP
Rose jointed suspension
Air con
AP brakes
GTR body style
Good build quality (i.e. how it was built not the factory quality of the parts)
In summary these are a labour of love, it is not a stick it in the garage anfd bring it out every other weekend. It is a high performance car and needs some TLC, though this can be done at home. I have only had mine about 3 months and there are some issues with it that I need to sort.
However, Ultima the company are fantastic (Andy is really, really helpfull in spares and advise. I threw the main water pump belt in Le Mans, over heating stressed the belt and Andy couldn't do enough for me to help). The Piston heads forum is superb with lots of friendly advise and the attention that the car recieves is relentless. The joke in the camp site at Le mans was "What Ultima?" You could not see it as it was just permanently surrounded by peopel (Slight over exagerations).
Just be careful what you buy. As was said earlier most of the cars are known and I am sure that some advise on the site will help you choose the correct car.
Jim
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